464
Albums Rated
3.25
Average Rating
43%
Complete
625 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1970
Favorite Decade
New-wave
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
43
5-Star Albums
22
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The United States Of America
The United States Of America
|
5 | 2.61 | +2.39 |
|
Walking Wounded
Everything But The Girl
|
5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
|
Steve McQueen
Prefab Sprout
|
5 | 2.98 | +2.02 |
|
The Nightfly
Donald Fagen
|
5 | 3.02 | +1.98 |
|
Real Life
Magazine
|
5 | 3.06 | +1.94 |
|
Dare!
The Human League
|
5 | 3.06 | +1.94 |
|
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
Genesis
|
5 | 3.08 | +1.92 |
|
Wild Wood
Paul Weller
|
5 | 3.09 | +1.91 |
|
The Boatman's Call
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
|
5 | 3.2 | +1.8 |
|
Faith
George Michael
|
5 | 3.27 | +1.73 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Californication
Red Hot Chili Peppers
|
1 | 3.7 | -2.7 |
|
The Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem
|
1 | 3.48 | -2.48 |
|
Smash
The Offspring
|
1 | 3.37 | -2.37 |
|
If I Should Fall From Grace With God
The Pogues
|
1 | 3.33 | -2.33 |
|
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
|
1 | 3.25 | -2.25 |
|
Me Against The World
2Pac
|
1 | 3.25 | -2.25 |
|
Honky Tonk Heroes
Waylon Jennings
|
1 | 3.14 | -2.14 |
|
Sister
Sonic Youth
|
1 | 3.02 | -2.02 |
|
Kala
M.I.A.
|
1 | 2.91 | -1.91 |
|
Mama Said Knock You Out
LL Cool J
|
1 | 2.91 | -1.91 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| David Bowie | 6 | 4.5 |
| Beatles | 4 | 4.5 |
| Steely Dan | 3 | 4.67 |
| Miles Davis | 3 | 4.33 |
| R.E.M. | 3 | 4.33 |
| Black Sabbath | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Sonic Youth | 3 | 1.67 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Eminem | 4, 1 |
5-Star Albums (43)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
The Charlatans · 3 likes
3/5
A very pleasant if ultimately forgettable album. Nothing unpleasant but also nothing really new or challenging.
Safe music to put on if you don’t want to offend anyone!
Billy Joel · 2 likes
4/5
Joel at the height of his songwriting powers. All the songs are gems and a few are absolute belters! First class.
The Killers · 2 likes
3/5
Mr Brightside is such an anthem it pretty much overshadows the rest of the album but it does get an extra star for that song!
Beastie Boys · 2 likes
3/5
Yeah not bad I quite like the Beasties. I much prefer the second half of the album which is a bit more jazzy and instrumental.
Portishead · 2 likes
5/5
God if this album had been out 10 years earlier when me and my mates were smoking quite a lot I’d of never got out of the house!!
It’s so chilled and chilling I can just drift off while it plays away in the background.
Love the tunes, love the voice, it’s dark but light at the same time, I think?!
Anyway a pearl amongst swine!
1-Star Albums (22)
All Ratings
T. Rex
4/5
Always liked T-Rex, I remember watching his TV show Marc as a kid. He had some fab guests, Bowie springs to mind. He always looked totally wasted!
Joan Armatrading
4/5
Very enjoyable listen, has aged well
Solomon Burke
3/5
Can’t believe I’ve never heard of this guy! What a soulful voice, very enjoyable indeed.
Queen
4/5
Love the Black side written by Freddie, not so keen on the White side written by May
Pink Floyd
4/5
Me and my mates played this to absolute death when it came out! Listening to it now there are some excellent tracks on there but as a whole the album is rather depressing really!
Norah Jones
2/5
Pleasant enough but a little insipid, no of the tracks were good enough to make me want to come back. If I’m having trouble sleeping I might play it again!
Sarah Vaughan
4/5
Great album, short but sweet mistakes and all!
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Very soulful and some excellent songs
Judas Priest
3/5
The Metal Gods were with them on this one! Saw them live at Manchester Apollo possibly on the tour for this album. Fab concert, every rock cliche to the MAX!!
Eminem
4/5
Can’t believe I have never listened to this album! Very intense, very clever and very funny in places, I enjoyed it a lot.
Björk
2/5
Musical maverick, very original, some great songs, but this offering didn’t really do it for me to be honest.
Thin Lizzy
4/5
Superb live album, one of the best, that catches Lizzy in their natural habitat, on stage!
Probably their best line up and music from their best era of albums, say no more.
Manu Chao
2/5
Not really my bag Latin music but you can tell this album was made with a lot of joy.
Billy Joel
4/5
Joel at the height of his songwriting powers. All the songs are gems and a few are absolute belters! First class.
Klaxons
2/5
Not bad, 2 singles stand out.
Jurassic 5
3/5
Enjoyed this one a lot. Proper old skool style hip hop. Will listen to this again.
The Pogues
1/5
Not for me, apart from Fairytale of New York, all sounded the same!
The Byrds
2/5
Very pleasant if a bit samey. Good background music I would say.
Jeff Beck
4/5
I first started listening to Jeff Beck late 70s early 80s when he was doing his jazz fusion stuff, Blow by Blow etc. Only just recently have I listened to his earlier stuff and it’s absolutely fab! Great use of Rod Stewart’s vocals too.
Brian Eno
3/5
An eclectic mix of slightly weird vocal songs and excellent musicianship. Had to listen to it at least 3 times to get a handle on it but I liked it.
Fela Kuti
3/5
I enjoyed listening to this album but I think I enjoyed reading about his life more! 27 wives? Wow. I shall certainly check so if his other stuff.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
1/5
Wow an album from 66 years ago, this list isn't very current is it? Interesting to listen to but not really adding a lot to my musical experience to be frank.
You can here a slight hint of the blues in there with the hokey cowboy sound though.
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
2 hours plus of hard rock by a band who you’re not familiar with seemed a pretty daunting task. However the lyrics and quality musicianship made it an interesting experience.
David Bowie
3/5
A few years back I had a drunken and slightly heated debate with a mate who said a lot of Bowie songs are shit! My position being that a shit Bowie song is far better than most artists great songs! However on revisiting all Bowie early albums, including this one, I can’t help thinking my mate might of been in to something.
There is what can only described as an awful lot of “filler” in between the undoubted classics that we all remember and love so much, food for thought?
Beck
3/5
Do you know I’d forgotten all about this album! I used to listen to this all the time way back when. Very clever, very musical and very enjoyable, thanks for the reminder!
Astor Piazzolla
2/5
Bill Evans Trio
3/5
Pretty good though the bass solos seem to go on forever. There are much better Bill Evan’s albums than this one in my opion.
Songhoy Blues
3/5
Much more fun than I thought it would be. Though I can’t understand what they are singing about the rhythms make you feet tap and the singing is infectious.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Enjoyed it if a bit hokey in places, good ol’ boys!
Dr. Dre
2/5
Not really for me this, just a load of mysoginists bitching about each other and talking about their dicks!
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Really enjoyed this one, great musicians, great tunes and great vocals!
Linkin Park
3/5
Really enjoyed this one, but like Rage Against the Machine but with butter melodies, nice
The Temptations
3/5
A reasonable album containing an absolute belter, Papa is a rolling stone stands out like a mountain in a field here. What a song, one of the best ever possibly and for that alone this album gets 3 stars.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Excellent, some great tracks on here alright. Not so fond of the super quick fade outs though I guess Bob had said all he needed to say!
Metallica
2/5
Interesting…better than most thrash I’ve heard but prefer my rock of the Deep Purple AC/DC variety!
Fela Kuti
3/5
This is the 3rd Afrobeat album on the list so far and I’m really enjoying them though next time I listen to this I will give th 11 minute drum solo at the end a miss!
The Darkness
2/5
Great riffs and solos and some good tunes but the vocals at times are ridiculous !
The Who
3/5
I’ve only, last 10 years, started listening to The Who and appreciating their music. However good as it is I find this one a bit of a task to be honest. Apart from Pinball Wizard there are not really any songs that stand up on their own without the context of the story of the album.
I will stick to Who’s Next I think!
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
The music is very good but I get what some people say about the singing but that’s just Sioxsie!
An excellent debut album to be fair.
PJ Harvey
4/5
A very pleasant and enjoyable listen especially considering the source material.
Polly Jean is such a varied artist and I have liked pretty much everything she’s done, some of it is very challenging but that is a good thing, mostly.
The Young Gods
1/5
Why do we have to hear this before we die? Some of the riffs were pretty awesome but the overall album was tres mal!
The Strokes
3/5
Kind of missed these at the time, I remember the hype but never got round to listening for myself.
Glad I have now, excellent debut album with some proper earworm tracks! Just downloaded their follow up album so I’ll give that a spin later.
Eminem
1/5
Wilco
2/5
Red Hot Chili Peppers
1/5
Scar Tissue is a decent enough track but the rest is a load of old cobblers!
I like a lot of their stuff but Anthony and Flea have let us and them selves down with this piss poor effort!
Milton Nascimento
3/5
A very interesting listen indeed. Some very lovely tunes and singing. Not understanding the language should not be a barrier to enjoying good music and that is certainly the case here.
This album is exactly why I signed up for this as I would never have come across it otherwise.
Duke Ellington
3/5
An interesting listen, not convinced by the fake crowd noises, but pretty good overall.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
3/5
I remember me and mates, we were long haired rockers at the time, taking the piss out of Andy McClusky in a club in Liverpool as we thought Maid of Orleans was “a bit girlie”
Oh well sorry Andy it’s actual a pretty good listen.
Van Morrison
5/5
First Van Morrison album I ever heard and probably still my favourite although the more I listen to Astral Weeks I think it may take over the number one spot!
Not a bad track on here and the great ones are truly great. He may be a miserable old duffer who hates the world and everyone in it but boy can he write (and sing) a tune.
The Mars Volta
3/5
Wow never heard of these! I do love a bit of prog rock so I’ll be giving listen another listen or two when I have a bit more time to appreciate it.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
Listenable album but Chemical Brothers do it better. A lot of the beats etc sound very similar. It’s ok but not near his best.
4/5
A very intriguing album and another I can’t believe is not more widely known and appreciated! I had certainly never heard it before.
Ray Davis is a song writin colossos.
Neu!
4/5
Christina Aguilera
2/5
A great voice and a few decent tunes but this is not an album that deserves any more attention.
Miles Davis
4/5
A difficult listen even for a massive Miles fan like myself but well worth it.
There is just something so other worldly about the sound that just captivates me.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
Excellent jazz, well written and played. A great album for someone whose not familiar with the genre to start with.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Bonham was still alive when I first heard Zeppelin and 45 years later they still leave me wondering what all the fuss is about.
I will hear a song of theirs on the radio and think mmm that sounds alright I’ll give the album a spin but always come away feeling unsatisfied!
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Is this the same song being played for an hour and a bit? Never did really “get” The Stones to be honest. OK they did some great tunes but not on this album!
Supergrass
3/5
Weirdly I have this album on vinyl but I have no recollection of buying it!
What I can’t believe is it’s nearly 30 years old! It’s aged pretty well and is as enjoyable bit of Britpop as you’ll get.
The Style Council
3/5
“Kick out the style bring back the jam” as Tears for Fears once sang!
3 maybe 4 top tunes on here, some pointless musical noodling and a God awful rap about sums this up.
Not Wellers finest but a brave change in direction from a great British musician/songwriter.
Haircut 100
3/5
I was 16 when this came out and me and most of my mates looked like these boys.
Music from the 80s is much maligned but I can tell you coming of age, listening to and going out dancing to this sort of music was ace!
It was all quite joyful and a bit frivolous but great fun too.
If you wanted to be a bit more serious you had The Bunnymen and New Order to keep you in line.
I’m not sure if this would be an album I would necessarily say you HAD to listen to but one you SHOULD listen to as it’s good fun and will make you smile and it might just make you dance around your living room as it did with me!
Enjoy!
The Rolling Stones
1/5
My father in law used to see these when he was young and said they were a decent pub covers band. My mum said pretty much the same about The Beatles when she saw them at The Cavern.
The big difference being The Beatles went on to be one of the best and most influential recording artists of all time and The Stones pretty much carried on doing this same old shit for the next 50 years!
Otis Redding
3/5
Short and sweet but very enjoyable, that’s the way to do covers!
3/5
A bit like aural wallpaper this one! I had it on my headphones while I read the BBC news and apart from Invincible, which I recognised, I was not distracted by it at all.
Rahul Dev Burman
4/5
Very enjoyable, but then I’ve always had a soft spot for Bollywood movies as there was always one on late Sunday night when I got home from a 4 hour train ride back from seeing my girlfriend!
Again I would question whether this was an “essential” album or if it were even the best of this genre but it made a pleasant change.
Frank Zappa
4/5
Me and my mates used to listen to Zappa a lot as teenagers thinking he was just like us. Imagine our disappointment when we discovered he was an anti-drug teatotaller!
Oh well his music is pretty amazing as is its scope.
Great guitarist too.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
I have only recently began, last 2 years, to listen to Cohen and I think he is brilliant. This album however is not my favourite although still enjoyable.
Missy Elliott
3/5
Not bad, she knows what she’s doing and pretty impressive guest list too
Randy Newman
3/5
A very intriguing listen with some great tunes and some challenging lyrics. Not what I expected from Randy Newman, excellent.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Amazing how short albums were back in the 60s and 70s but at least you don’t get a load of dross.
This has my favourite S&G song, America on it so big plus for that alone.
Bit disjointed but excellent in parts. A good listen.
R.E.M.
4/5
This was the first REM Album I ever bought/listened to and I’d forgotten just how bloody good it is!
Wow, superb and brings back a lot of memories.
I like Stripes “whiney” voice and the “pretentious” mandolins so there!!
MC Solaar
4/5
Always liked Solar even though I only understand every other fourth word! Not heard this one before though tres bon.
Pixies
4/5
I listened to this album a few times over 25 years ago then never thought about it again to be honest.
Listening again now it’s not at all what I remember, it’s actually a lot better than I originally thought and maybe I should of listened to it more often.
You can certainly hear who they were influenced by (Beatles?) and who was influenced by them
(Pretty much every guitar based band since).
I shall investigate the other albums I think.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Heard it many times before, not his best but still pretty good.
Wild Beasts
3/5
Once I got used to the singers voice I actually really enjoyed this album by a band who would otherwise have passed me by.
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
A lot more mellow than the Bands name would suggest, in fact so relaxing I fell asleep towards the end and had to listen to it again. Pleasant is the best word I can think of to describe this album.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
Big band jazz is not my favourite kind of jazz but the Count is the master I really thought this was a good listen.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Not a massive fan of the Boss but some decent tunes on here to be fair.
Ice Cube
3/5
Very aggressive and exciting with fast beats that drive the whole thing along, good stuff!
The Police
3/5
As with all there albums there’s the hits and then there’s the filler.
The filler on this one is a bit poor but the hits are top notch so difficult to really rate this one!
Living Colour
3/5
I remember these from back in the day, the fuss being “wow black rock band” people obviously forgetting Jimi Hendrix and Phil Lynott methinks!
Still sounds pretty good all these decades later.
Enjoyed it.
Various Artists
2/5
I don’t mind Christmas songs per se but a whole album of them?! Nah
The Teardrop Explodes
4/5
Wow absolutely ace! I liked their singles when they came out boy somehow never got round to listening to the whole album, did I miss out?!
De La Soul
4/5
De liteful! Back when hip hop was fun to listen to and a bit more upbeat.
Not full of the N word and slagging off former friends or associates, a total lack of bitches, superb!
The Prodigy
3/5
I am more familiar with Fat of the Land but this is banging too.
Venom
3/5
I enjoyed this album of tunes by the bastard offspring of Judas Priest and Black Sabbath a lot more than the opening riff would have me believe.
Not something I will return to again and again but I can get what people see in this sort of music.
Janis Joplin
4/5
Absolute classic, a singer who lets you hear all her emotional turmoil with every note, the band are too notch aswell.
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
Who doesn’t enjoy a bit of improvisional blues? Quite a lot of people by the looks of it! Anyway I did so there!
Talking Heads
4/5
I heard their first album ‘77 when I was about 11 or 12 it hadn’t been out long and my mates older brother played it. I instantly liked its “differentness” and I liked Talking Heads ever after. Somehow this one slipped through so great to listen to it now all these years later.
I love it!
Radiohead
5/5
Easiest 5 stars so far! One of my all time favourite albums I just love it.
Still sounds brilliant every time I put it on, which is quite often.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
A very pleasant listen!
3/5
God don’t he go on?! It’s ok but none of the versions really add anything to the existing studio cuts, so it’s a no from me dog!
Moby
5/5
Like a lot of people I played this album to death back in the day and haven’t listened to it for years.
It still sounds great and I really enjoyed revisiting this one.
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
Had this album for ages but never really listened to it properly. Of course after the almost perfection of Rumours they were always going to struggle but there is some great stuff on here as well as a lot of nonsense.
Stereolab
3/5
A mate of mine used to play these all the time back in the day but to be honest it was just background to us getting stoned and play FIFA on the x Box!
I still think it sounds more like background music than something that really grabs your attention, very pleasant all the same.
Lambchop
2/5
I’m glad I listened to this in the morning otherwise I wouldn’t of stayed awake past the first track!
Utterly pointless, goes nowhere, does nothing to engage, what a load of boring old tosh!
Hole
3/5
An interesting listen, obviously I’ve heard of Cox and Hole but never got round to listening, not bad at all though I don’t listen to this kind of music much anymore.
Portishead
5/5
God if this album had been out 10 years earlier when me and my mates were smoking quite a lot I’d of never got out of the house!!
It’s so chilled and chilling I can just drift off while it plays away in the background.
Love the tunes, love the voice, it’s dark but light at the same time, I think?!
Anyway a pearl amongst swine!
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Great to hear the singles in the context of the whole album. I’ve always liked Declan and still do, great tunes and the attractions really rock on this one, good stuff.
M.I.A.
1/5
First track annoyed the shit out of me.
Second track sounds like Nelly Futado having a fight with Mini Mouse.
Third track…fuck this I’m gonna have to skip through this, it’s hideous FFS!
No it’s not getting any better, Japanese Boney M ?!
OK Paper Planes is just about bearable but only for The Clash sample.
This is the worst so far by far, horrendous!
R.E.M.
5/5
Every song on here is good and a lot of them are great. I was reminded by listening to Green the other week what a fab band REM were and this just cements it.
Sugar
2/5
Not sure about this one, could of been better if it didn’t sound like it was recorded under a duvet!
None of the songs really grab the attention or get you wanting more, I kind of just endured it really.
Slipknot
1/5
Bloody awful, next!
Method Man
2/5
It’s ok I suppose but nothing really stands out or grabs me to be honest.
Boston
4/5
Some of the songs on here should easily make this a 5 but then there are a few that would make it a 3 so I’ve split the difference!
Opening track is such a tune anything that comes after is going to disappoint to be honest
Nirvana
4/5
Their cover of Man who sold the World is one of my favourite covers full stop!
I remember watching this on MTV and being blown away by how good they all were. Gave me fresh respect for them as musicians. Still a great listen all these years later.
Scott Walker
4/5
I bought the box set of all his albums after hearing how he was such an influence on so many artists as was disappointed at first to be honest.
But after a few listens I really started to enjoy the music and his weird take on life etc.
The other great thing is it’s short and to the point no rambling remixes or alternate versions, they knew how to make albums back then!
AC/DC
4/5
I’d managed to get a last minute ticket to see them on the Highway to Hell tour then had to sit at the front of class for a week because I was deaf!
I really got into them and then Bon Scott died! So it was with some trepidation I dropped the needle onto this album when it came out.
On first listen I hated it to be honest, the riffs were there for sure and the band where as solid as ever, but that voice!
Over the years I’ve grown to enjoy this album but as with all AC/DC albums there is a lot of “filler” between the good ones.
I stopped buying their albums after this one!
Nirvana
4/5
I’ve had this album pretty much since it came out and playing it back I’ve realised that for most of that time I’ve been skipping through and only playing the “good” bits!
So it’s like hearing it for the first time and I’m not that impressed to be honest!
Of course all the “hits” are there but some of the bits in between aren’t great but to be fair if you crank it up and bang your head about while playing air guitar or drums it’s fuckin’ ace!
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
4/5
I bought this when it came out and played it to death, I guess my teenage self identified in some way with all the angst!
Funnily enough I listened to this a few weeks ago for the first time in about 20 years and thoroughly enjoyed it.
There are some fillers on here but also some belters and contrary to a lot of people’s opinion the 80s produced some great music especially for us who grew up listening and going out dancing to it.
However I did go to see them live and it wasn’t the most riveting performance I ever saw though they did sound pretty good.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
A rambling shambles of an album that not even Kashmir can salvage!
Didn’t get them back then and still don’t get them now!
Black Sabbath
5/5
I only just listened to this a few days ago after seeing Sabbaths farewell gig in Birmingham on the telly.
It sounds as dark, heavy and fantastic as it did 40 odd years ago when I first heard it.
Fabulous musicians who know how to play, I always thought Ozzy was the weakest link but I am so used to him now that it couldn’t be any one else!
I saw Ozzy live a couple of times but never managed to see Sabbath.
Traffic
4/5
What is it with 70s bands and flutes? Genesis, Jerhro Tull, King Crimson and now this lot!
That being said I thoroughly enjoyed this album and played again straight after listening to it the first time.
The Charlatans
3/5
A very pleasant if ultimately forgettable album. Nothing unpleasant but also nothing really new or challenging.
Safe music to put on if you don’t want to offend anyone!
CHIC
4/5
Nile Rogers was the man back then and still is today! Great album of disco tunes with some proper classics.
Gene Clark
3/5
I’m 2 tracks in and my impression so far is pleasant but nothing yet to make me feel it’s a travesty this album isnt better known.
OK I’ve listened to it twice now and I quite like it but I am still not convinced it’s a long lost classic so will rate it accordingly.
Nirvana
2/5
I can see what they were doing by moving away from the “commercialism” of Nevermind but a step too far for me!
Lauryn Hill
5/5
Easy 5 stars for this one, absolute masterpiece from start to finish! If you only bring out one solo album in your life this is the way to do it!
Great soulful, R&B hip hop combo. From the links of school conceit to the songwriting, singing and music not a foot wrong, probably right to not try and follow it up.
David Bowie
5/5
His best music since Scary Monsters for me anyway.
I was really impressed by how good this was when it came out and listening again now it still impresses.
Roxy Music
3/5
I do like Roxy Music but also find their early stuff a bit strange at times, especially Ferrys yodelling!
Still an enjoyable listen and probably a bit of a surprise for those who think they were all lounge suits and smooth ballads.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
5/5
Another one of those albums that you forgot just how good it is until you put it on again and think, ah yes now I remember why I bought it!
Beautiful harmonies, great melodies and some fab guitar to boot.
Absolute peach of a record.
The Cars
4/5
I suppose when you open your album with 3 of your best ever songs the rest may seem a bit lacklustre by comparison but still a bloody good record I enjoyed revisiting.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Love Leonard and love this album, monkey and a plywood violin indeed!
Jeru The Damaja
3/5
Better than I expected but not for me to be fair.
The Clash
5/5
I grew listening to this album and it’s an easy 5 stars. Not every song is a gem but more hits than misses and Spainish Bombs and Lost in the Supermarket alone deserve the top score!
A great mix of musical styles and lyrics, an absolute winner all day long!!
Deep Purple
4/5
Short but oh so sweet, great album from a great band.
The United States Of America
5/5
This is completely bonkers, totally nuts and I absolutely love it!
Sounds like it’s from the 60s but doesn’t if you get what I mean?
Shame they only made the one album but what an album!
Todd Rundgren
3/5
I knew and like the opening song but find the rest of the album a bit bewildering and a bit tedious to be honest.
I will give it another spin when I have a bit of spare time.
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
Started off ok but I soon got bored by the lack of any sort of tune or melody.
I much prefer old skool hip hop which is actually fun to listen to!
Moby Grape
4/5
I very much enjoyed this but wouldn’t call it a seminal album that gives The Beatles a run for their money!
Would of been a lot better with out the quick fade outs just as things started to get interesting but this was quite common back then.
Vocal harmonies are excellent and as a band they really rock, I bet they were good live when they started out.
The Bees
4/5
First listened to this a few years back after hearing them on BBC 6 Music.
I really like it and find it quite chilled, never would of guessed they were from Isle of Wight though!
Aretha Franklin
4/5
A good solid album with plenty of good tunes, and of course what a voice!
N.W.A.
4/5
Oh no I thought not another hip hop album but I really enjoyed this one.
Back in the day when they still made an effort with tunes and ryhmes.
Good effort!
The Beta Band
3/5
I wouldn’t call this essential but it was not bad and something I wouldn’t of listened to otherwise.
Björk
3/5
Interesting…some lovely soundscapes on here and some fascinating insights into the mind of our favourite Icelandic pixie but not one to revisit too often!
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
Started listening and was a bit underwhelmed then something happened about half way through and I started to pay attention.
I think I liked it but will give it another spin to verify.
JAY Z
3/5
Oh no not more hip hop! But hold on it’s Jay Z it’ll be good right? Wrong, say old shit, bitches this motherfucker that! At leat he didn’t ask me suck his dick!!
John Lee Hooker
3/5
A bit bland and generic 80s sounding for me. Not really proper JKH to be fair.
OK so his retirement was sorted with this one and it was probably a big lovefest collaborating with all the other musos but it’s still BORING!!
Sleater-Kinney
3/5
Ok don’t think I was in the right mood for this one so I’ll give it another listen on another day.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Nothing I can say about this album that hasn’t already said so I won’t bother!
Easy 5
G. Love & Special Sauce
3/5
Never heard of these guys. Initially I was enjoying the sloppy vibe and Joe Strummer style singing but after about 6 or 7 tracks in I thought I was listening to the same song over and over again!
I also used to play the drums back in the day and although I wasn’t very good I knew more than one beat!
This ain’t living isn’t bad though.
The White Stripes
4/5
I have only ever dipped my toe in with this band, dabbled if you like.
So I listened to this one from start to finish and pretty much enjoyed all of it.
Jimmy Smith
3/5
Got to be one of the worst album covers ever surely?!
Fortunately the music is much better than the artwork if a bit samey after a while.
I liked the vibe though.
Electric Light Orchestra
5/5
I bought this when it came out, I was 11 and practically wore out the grooves on my blue vinyl copy!
Absolute pearl of an album, Jeff Lynne was a pop song writing God!
Epic!
Paul Weller
5/5
Can’t believe the bad reviews (probably Americans!) of this album.
I bought it on vinyl when it came out and it’s a stone cold classic! Music, singing, lyrics, production and just the overall feel of it.
Weller is a very talented musician and songwriter, nuff said!
Beyoncé
3/5
I really like the Sacha Fearce album but struggle to find any standout tracks on this on.
My partner loves Beyoncé and she never listens to this one so what does that tell you?
Carole King
5/5
I was introduced to this album by a friends parents at a drunken singalong about 30 years ago and have loved it ever since.
Someone in the reviews commented they liked the cover versions this album without realising these are the originals! (Probably American!)
Not a bad song on here, all thriller no filler! Absolute peach of a record!
Pixies
3/5
Mmm yeah well, whatever.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
3/5
Couldn’t get this one on iTunes so had to listen to videos on YouTube.
Strangely wonderful if a bit samey after a while!
Dire Straits
3/5
I quite like some of the songs on this album but absolutely despise Walk of Life, so it loses a star for that!
Beastie Boys
3/5
Yeah not bad I quite like the Beasties. I much prefer the second half of the album which is a bit more jazzy and instrumental.
1/5
I think the only Liars here are the people who said we have to listen to this before we die!
What an absolute load of shit!
I tried my best but just couldn’t take any more after 3 tracks and I’m pretty open minded, it was so bad I deleted it!
Fiona Apple
4/5
After reading the description and some of the reviews it was with a little trepidation and started listening to this one.
Newsflash it’s really good and I enjoyed it a lot.
Some great lyrics, “ I grew up wearing the shoes they said I could fill”
I will definitely be checking out her other stuff.
Beatles
4/5
There are some great tracks on here, of course it’s the Beatles, but quite a bit of filler. You could get it down to 3 sides maybe even 2 if you were ruthless but still pretty damn good!
U2
4/5
I saw U2 twice, at the start and at the end of their October tour, still one of the best live bands I’ve ever seen.
Listening back to this again reminds me of the sheer energy and excitement they had and why me and my mates loved them so much. I wore out my videotape of Under a Blood Red Sky!
DJ Shadow
3/5
Some interesting stuff and as a drummer some of the beats were really good but there’s not enough here to make want to come back and listen again.
The Smiths
4/5
Love The Smiths though this is not my favourite or their best though still some absolute classics on here.
David Bowie
5/5
Massive Bowie fan but not one who thinks everything he does is genius.
But the man was feckin’ dying and he knew it and he’d not long brought out his best album since Ashes to Ashes! And then this appears FFS!
It is very dark, for obvious reasons, but I love it and probably don’t listen to it enough as it does make me sad when I do.
Black Sabbath
4/5
Not as familiar with this as there other early stuff, Changes excepted, but same great musicianship and nasty riffs and Ozzies even present nasal whine! Great stuff.
Pixies
3/5
Another Pixies album? Ok for starters this one sounds slightly more polished than the last one, good thing or bad thing? Discuss…
Well it was easier to listen to than their other albums but not really a “classic” for me dog!
Neil Young
4/5
I was aware of Neil Young but had never really listened to him to I found this album in a charity shop about 20 years ago.
On first listen I couldn’t really get past his “ weird” voice but after a few spins I started to appreciate the music more and more.
I know now it’s a classic!
Common
3/5
I bought Electik Circus when it came out and played it a good few times. This is quite as eclectic but still streets ahead of most of the hip hop dross we’ve had to listen to so far!
The Who
3/5
A bit like Led Zep I don’t really “get” The WHO. They have some great individual tunes but I found whole albums a bit much!
Alice In Chains
3/5
Just background noise on an airport run nothing really grabbed me.
Calexico
3/5
I’ve heard of these and I think and even gave them a listen many years back.
They are definitely a critics favourite and are pleasant enough to listen to but once again they don’t really grab me. The singer lacks a distinctive voice, like Stipe, as they remind me a bit of REM but without the bite!
Background music for me, but good background music!
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
As seems to be the case with all the double albums so far this is overlong and self indulgent.
I think this is the first time I’ve listened to this from start to finish, I normally dip in and out, and I now know why!
Still all being said and done there are some absolute beauties on here so it still scores highly in my book
4/5
Very enjoyable, not heard it before but I am obviously familiar with Low Rider.
I will give their other albums a play some time soon.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Ok first double album that isn’t overlong or self indulgent. Sure not every single song is a classic but there aren’t any duff ones or fillers on here either!
I listened right through in one go and that says something, I could quite easily listen to the whole thing over and over with no need to skip any songs.
Frank Sinatra
5/5
This is an absolute belter, a master class in crooning!!
This is the album that finally made me understand why people love Sinatra.
No duff ones just a perfect selection of classic songs all sang to perfection.
Don’t think he ever bettered this one.
Jacques Brel
3/5
I’d heard of Brel in so much as he was an influence on Bowie, Leonard Cohen and Scott Walker but had never actually listened to him.
It was interesting and enjoyable, the French have this unique singing genre that I think you have to be French to truly appreciate but non the less I liked it.
Pulp
4/5
Britpop was never really my thing though I have got a few records by some of the better bands, this being one them.
There are several absolute classics on here and some filler but all in all it’s pretty damn good!
Robert Wyatt
3/5
Very odd on first listen I think it’s worth another go but not what I’d call a classic!
Elbow
3/5
I want to like this band I really do, but there’s just something that doesn’t really gel with me.
I can’t put my finger on it, is it the music, is it the lyrics is it Guys voice? (I like listening to his show on BBC6 Music) I don’t know. Ahhhh!
I listened to this twice today and apart from the famous one and a couple of other songs it just didn’t do it for me, sorry Guy!
X-Ray Spex
4/5
That was a great listen! I love Germ Free Adolescent the song but hearing in the context of the whole album was fun!
I remember seeing them on TOTP and thinking what the hell is this, wow memories,
Steely Dan
5/5
I listened to this album last week. It is easily one of my all time favourites and Steely Dan’s Magnus opus without a doubt.
If you watch the documentary you can see the anal detail Fagen and Becker went into to produce this beauty!
There are no duds on here, every song is a classic and Deacon Blues is unbelievable both lyrically and musically.
I can get some peoples poor reviews of Aja but it’s not punk it’s jazz infused rock of the highest order and deserves a listen.
If you listen to all their albums in chronological order you can hear the progression towards this masterpiece.
Drop the needle into the groove sit back and enjoy!
Afrika Bambaataa
1/5
This pretty much feels like the same track going on and on and on and on…
I’m bored.
Drive Like Jehu
2/5
I tried but couldn’t past the 3rd track, nonsense!
The Kinks
3/5
Very British and at times a bit twee but never the less an interesting snapshot into the mind of the genius that is Ray Davies.
Not their best effort but enjoyable none the less.
Herbie Hancock
5/5
Herbie Hancock is a giant of jazz, in fact a colossus of the music world full stop!
This is his seminal album and classic of the jazz funk fusion whatever genre.
Superb!
The Prodigy
4/5
3 absolute bangers and the rest are pretty decent.
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
Interesting in so much as it’s a glimpse into the psychedelic 60s but mostly forgettable background noise for me.
The songs with Grace Slick are the better ones generally but I won’t be adding this to any playlists!
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
A bit like Mike and his organ end of the pier show!
Listenable but not memorable.
Japan
3/5
I liked this when it came out and I still like it now. Saw them live and they sounded awesome if a bit boring to watch.
Roxy Music
4/5
Always find myself torn with early Roxy Music, is it art or is it just nonsense?
Anyway I like it!
The Offspring
1/5
Another one of those pointless American albums by a pointless American band! You may of invented rock’n”roll but this is trash!
Not a single redeeming song, trash!
The Band
4/5
I’ve been listening to these hillbillies a lot lately and I think I am starting to understand why so many people, especially musicians, like them.
Cypress Hill
4/5
Me and some mates played Black Sunday to death when it came out and I didn’t hear this till many years later.
Although not as good it’s still a cut above most of the other hip hop that’s been on this list so far.
You can hear a lot of the ‘motifa’ they used on the later album, pretty damn great overall!
Mylo
3/5
Reminded me a bit of The Avalanches but nowhere near as inventive or interesting though pleasant enough dinner party background music.
Lorde
3/5
An average album by an average artist with average song writing ability!
Why is average even on this list?
Guns N' Roses
3/5
There is no doubt that Slash is up there with the great rock lead guitarists and there are 3 great songs on this album.
Unfortunately Axls voice grates very quickly so I will stick to just listening to the odd track now and again and not the whole album.
Nanci Griffith
2/5
I don’t mind a bit of country but this is a bit too far into western for my taste I’m afraid.
Beatles
5/5
What can I say? Boys from my home town make good!
Brilliant, love it!
Leftfield
3/5
Better than I remember and definitely one to listen to while doing something, I walked the dogs, as opposed to just sitting and listening.
Mj Cole
3/5
This is much better than a lot of the reviews would have you believe.
I did however expect Craig David to pop up at any minute!!
Some good stuff on here but the deluxe version is way too long.
Portishead
4/5
I love Dummy and have listened to it a lot over the years, can’t understand why I’ve not investigated their other stuff!
This is great, I particularly like the krautrock stuff.
I will be playing this again.
Al Green
4/5
Only problem with this album is that the first track is so massive where do you go afterwards?
Still a great listen if a little short!
Stan Getz
3/5
I love jazz and I like Stan Getz but pleasant as it was it was all a bit too beige for me.
Background music, nothing to make you sit up and think; wow this is something special.
Dwight Yoakam
1/5
Oh my god I could not listen to this dross!
I tried believe me but it was hell for me!
This is not music but torture, if I could give 0 stars I would!
Kanye West
2/5
Another album that I tried several times but just couldn’t get into despite all the “special guests”
Of course we all now know Kanye is a total bellend which doesn’t help!
MGMT
4/5
Brilliant album, played it to bits when it came out but had forgotten about till now!
Great to revisit and remember.
Bad Brains
3/5
Never heard of this band. Not bad, not too long and some great guitar!
R.E.M.
4/5
Interestingly contains their song with the most lyrics and their song with the least!
A great album with 2 of my favourite REM songs, the 2 I mentioned earlier!
Kanye West
2/5
Two Kanye albums in one week that’s tough!
We have had this CD in our collection since it came out and I think this only the second time it’s been played, what does that tell you?
I think my partner bought it because she liked the one song which pretty much is still the case.
Faith No More
2/5
Again another OK album but that’s not what I signed up for is it?
Obviously I’ve heard Epic which sounds good but is that because it’s familiar?
War Pigs cover, why?
I like their cover of Easy but that’s not on here!
LCD Soundsystem
2/5
Didn’t really get on with this one to be honest, a bit boring!
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Another pretty solid outing from Stevie with the absolute classic that is Superstition. What can you say he was bang on for at least 3 albums, this being one of them!
Waylon Jennings
1/5
NO NO and thrice NO!!!
Music to listen to before you slit your own throat!
Donald Fagen
5/5
Now this is more like it! I’ve been listening to and loving this album for decades.
My go to if testing out new hi-fi equipment as the sound quality/production are second to none.
The first and best of Fagens album triology apparently telling so sort of story only he knows!
This is first class and should be on everybodies list
Tracy Chapman
5/5
One of the reviews called this secretary music FFS! Have you even listened to the lyrics?
Stone cold 5 star classic with not a single bad song and only 36 minutes long! This is how you make an album.
Nine Inch Nails
2/5
Maybe not one to listen to just before bed!
ZZ Top
4/5
Wow! I was pleasantly surprised by how good this album was.
I am familiar with their later more ‘commercial’ output but this is much earthier and real sounding. I recognised The Grange but hadn’t realised it was these boys! Great stuff.
Adele
3/5
Loved her first album, liked her second album and was getting a bit bored by the third one!
She can still sing, obviously, but some of the bite has gone and it’s all too much by the numbers.
The Smiths
3/5
I like the Smiths or a least the “hits” however some of the songs on here are awful!
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
He is an artist who I like and admire a great deal but don’t listen to that often to be honest.
This was pretty good if a bit overlong. I did like it though.
Don McLean
3/5
I skipped the first 3 tracks and then played them at the end as someone suggested and it did make it less top heavy and made me listen to the other songs properly.
Not a bad effort!
New York Dolls
3/5
Not what I was expecting but in a good way. I enjoyed it.
Jeff Buckley
3/5
Another one of these musicians beloved by other musicians and critics alike.
I already have this album and think it’s good but would people bang on about him so much if he hadn’t died such a tragic death?
If he’d not died, carried on and made more albums I’m not so sure.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
4/5
I knew the first track as Gary Moore did a cover of it.
Very competent blues for a bunch of white guys!
Claptons guitar work is excellent, very enjoyable indeed.
Butthole Surfers
2/5
Wow! “Interesting” to say the least! Definitely one to play through the headphones or when my partners out!
Didn’t like it or did I? Very confused by it to be honest. Erm, are they songs who can tell!
Lynyrd Skynyrd
3/5
Hillbilly background music until the behemoth that is Freebird fires up!
If it wasn’t for that track it would be a one star.
Arcade Fire
2/5
Yeah it was ok but one to hear before you die? I don’t think so!
I’ve never really got into them to be honest, a friend bought me an album of theirs for my birthday 20 years or so ago and I’ve listened to it twice maybe.
The Beach Boys
2/5
I found it a bit boring if I’m honest and I don’t really think Pet Sounds is all it’s made out to be either.
Air
3/5
I love Moon Safari and can only assume that will appear on here at some point if this made it onto the list!
It’s pretty good and must be an awesome soundtrack, I’ll probably have to watch the film now.
Radiohead
3/5
Couldn’t stay awake for this one though it does sound intriguing, I’ll keep trying.
Maybe put it on a bit earlier in the day!
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Really good old skool hip hop. I’ve always had time for TCQ and I hadn’t heard this album before so all good!
Ian Dury
4/5
Starts off with two absolute bangers and finishes with one with some pretty good ones in between.
Americans obviously don’t get him but Ian Dury was a bonafide musical phenomenon, pure class what a geezer!!
Elliott Smith
4/5
How refreshing! An album by an artist I was unaware of that is really very good.
I have played it 3 times already today and I will have to check out his other stuff.
Shame he died so young and so tragically.
This is the best album to come up in quite some time.
Sonic Youth
2/5
Started off quite promising then it all got a bit pointless! Another one of those bands I think musos like to say influenced them because they think it makes them seem cool or weird!
Beatles
4/5
Some great Beatles songs on here and a few really duff ones and too many covers.
All in all a decent second album on their way to much greater things!
Marianne Faithfull
4/5
I’ve been reading a fair bit about Ms Faithful in the music press after her recent demise.
I played this album not really knowing what to expect but I have had it on twice already today I can say I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it.
OutKast
3/5
It was ok but did seem to go on for about 30 minutes longer than it needed to!
All the influences and styles that purportedly went into the making of this album were not overly noticeable and so apart from Ms Jackson it was pretty much hip hop business as usual!
Fred Neil
3/5
This is when this whole thing is worthwhile! An album from an interesting artist I’ve never heard of.
OK it’s not a game changer but it was a good listen and hearing the original Everbodys talking at me was fun.
Maxwell
3/5
This is something I put on when I want something pleasant to listen to that isn’t too musically challenging.
I do like his voice.
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
I have tried many times now to “get” the much lauded Kendrick Lamar but with little success.
I find his voice slightly irritating and the stream of consciousness lyrics are hard to follow.
I was however very impressed with his Glastonbury performance a few year ago and that’s why I have persevered.
But alas I’m stil just not into him I’m afraid!
Fugees
5/5
We absolutely played this to death when it came out. Modern hip hoppers take note, this is how you do it!
Everything about it just works, great lyrics, samples and tunes. Even the skits are clever and funny.
Love it!
Napalm Death
1/5
Absolute fucking shite!
Delete delete delete
The Jam
3/5
Not bad but some songs are a bit filler.
They got better as they went along!
Fatboy Slim
3/5
Well done Norman not a bad effort at all!
Some of it is a bit repetitive but that’s the nature of the beast.
All in all a decent bit of sampling!
Ms. Dynamite
4/5
Very enjoyable indeed. I’ve got the single of dynamite tee he and have no idea if I bought it, stole it or someone left it behind after a party!
Magazine
5/5
I was lucky when a was 13 (1979) that my best mate had a decent hi fi system but more importantly an older brother who would bring home stuff like this for us to listen to. Talk about broadening your horizons, I was listening to ELO and 10cc at the time!
Absolute peach of an album.
Sister Sledge
5/5
Absolute bangers from start to finish! Disco at its finest!
Nile Rogers knows his stuff.
George Michael
5/5
Pretty much a perfect pop album!
All the songs are good and the quality of the singing is fantastic.
I can’t really find fault with this one at all so an easy 5 star, no question.
PS the guy was gay not a sex offender so piss off all you homophobic bellends!!
The Go-Go's
3/5
It was ok but a bit samey. Belinda Carlisle has a great voice though.
Julian Cope
4/5
“How much can you take” screams Julian in a voice I don’t recognise as his!
It’s a good question for the first song and I’m already wondering how much can I take?
But guess what? I’m still listening and I’m intrigued to say the least.
It’s one of those albums that will take repeated listens to fully appreciate and I’m willing to give it a go.
The Doors
4/5
This is an excellent album with a few of their very best songs on, shame the daft git killed himself before they could do any more music!
Turbonegro
2/5
It wasn’t awful but not really deserving of a place on a list of albums you must listen to.
Syd Barrett
2/5
My mate at school Eddie got me to listen to Syd way back in the day.
We were stoners and thought anyone who was off their head or a bit out there was cool!
Listening back to this now over 40 years later I realise what a load of shit it really is!
Sorry Syd.
Beastie Boys
3/5
Another one of those bands were you love the hits but the rest of the album not so much!
Silver Jews
3/5
Interesting music with intriguing lyrics, a bit like Lou Reed singing country!
Aimee Mann
2/5
Nothing caught my ear and made think yeah this is really good! All a bit bland.
The Beach Boys
3/5
I bought this album 20 or more years ago after hearing a lot of musicians etc praising it.
Not sure the hype and the praise lavished on this album are justified. Maybe I’m missing something but it’s a few very good pop songs interspersed with some not so good pop songs!
Maybe it was amazing back in 1966 but today it all sounds a bit tame.
I’m not saying it’s rubbish but it’s not a game changer for me.
Elvis Costello
4/5
I really rate this album, it’s short and to the point the way LPs were and should still be.
A very assured debut from young Declan and a sign of things to come.
I know his vocal style isn’t to everyone’s taste but his songwriting is first class and the band are pretty tight too.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Actually much better than I initially remembered! Nicos voice is still infuriating but you can hear why they influenced so many other artists!
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
This is about as “dishevelled” as music gets but I like it!
I’ve loved the track Freak Scene for decades and they did a fab cover of Show me the Way that I can’t find anywhere.
Radiohead
3/5
Not my favourite Radiohead album but a bloody good listen all the same!
The Human League
5/5
I was a long haired hard rocker when this came out and I could not believe how good music could sound without guitars or real drums!!
I loved this then and I still love it now. It’s a lot poppier than their previous 2 albums but all the better for it to be honest!
Get your shoulder pads in, your make up on and have a dance!
Air
5/5
Bought this when it came out but haven’t listened to right the way through in a while.
Absolute gem!
Gene Clark
3/5
Much better than I expected after seeing “country’ and former member of The Byrds!
Not a classic but not bad either.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
I was 18 when my new girlfriend played me this. I was quite enjoying it till she told me that it had been special to her and her ex, in fact it was “their” album!
Anyway 40 years later I can take a slightly more mature approach and grudgingly admit it’s a classic.
10cc
3/5
I got their live album in 1978 or 79 when I was 12 and absolutely loved it! It was rocky, poppy and soppy with clever lyrics and great musicianship.
Only recently listened to their earlier studio albums and found them a bit patchy but this one is a lot more consistently enjoyable.
Weather Report
4/5
Another album from my youth. Gotta love a bit of jazz fusion!
Snoop Dogg
3/5
Great tunes and beats, the melodies of the raps/singing are good, but the lyrics!
The lyrics are so puerile almost laughably infantile at times. Hos, bitches, niggas and an unhealthy dick obsession!
Wow!
It’s ok nothing earth shattering. The ones where Rod sings are the best by far.
Brian Eno
3/5
Better than I remember it to be fair! Still has a bit of Roxy Music about it.
Obviously before he went all ambient!
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Much better than with Nico droning on and on, I actually really enjoyed listening to this one!
The Byrds
2/5
If this album were a colour it would be taupe or magnolia!
Very bland and un interesting to listen to and certainly not an album I would listen to again.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
A bit like early Bob Dylan this is poetry set to music. And also like Dylan I have only recently (2 years ago) started appreciate Cohens music.
I can say however whereas I like Dylan’s earlier stuff better I much prefer Cohens later material, so there!
The Cure
3/5
It felt a bit weird listening to this on a glorious, sunny summers day! Feels like it should be a soggy grey day in February.
Not their best with no real stand out (poppier perhaps?) tunes but still a decent listen all the same.
The Pharcyde
4/5
Oh no not more hip hop I thought! But I was wrong, this is fun and an enjoyable listen.
The Beta Band
2/5
Bland, bland, bland. I had it playing and not once did my ears prick up and go, that’s a tune or this sounds interesting!
I do wonder if like some songs on albums some of these albums on this list are just filler. I can’t believe this is really something I needed to hear before I die!
The Youngbloods
3/5
A lot more fun than I thought it would be from previous selections of this type.
I might even play it again!!
Wu-Tang Clan
3/5
Not a bad effort. I have listened to more hip hop in the last few months than I normally would but this album is one of the better ones.
The Damned
3/5
Not a band I would normally listen to, but then that’s the whole point of this list! But I actually quite enjoyed it but not sure if it’s one I’d necessarily play again.
Pulp
3/5
I was never that taken with the whole Britpop thing. Oasis were a very shit Beatles rip off and Blur took themselves a bit too seriously.
However if I had to pick one band that I could listen it would be Pulp!
This is not their best album but still a good listen.
Black Sabbath
4/5
I was lucky enough to see Ozzy live a couple of times, both with Randy Rhodes on guitar but never saw Sabbath. I guess I won’t now as they’ve just played their last ever gig and are all geriatrics!
This is a great album, dark, heavy and played with feeling. Musicianship is first class and always surprising.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
My second favourite Nick Cave album after Murder Ballads.
This is a great album and Into my Arms has to be one of the most beautiful songs ever written and deserves 5 stars on its own!
The Who
2/5
It’s not great is it? Substitute which is one of my favourite Who songs is rubbish and the covers are piss poor!
Won’t be playing this one again anytime soon, or ever probably!
Doves
2/5
To quote Vivian from the Young ones “bored bored bored!!”
Not sure who are more tiresome these or Coldplay.
This is music for wimps performed by wimps!
Keith Jarrett
4/5
Wow! I didn’t have high expectations for this one. Some bloke noodling away on an old piano, even if that bloke is Keith Jarrett!
But again wow absolutely stunning, musical genius in its purist form!
The Killers
3/5
Mr Brightside is such an anthem it pretty much overshadows the rest of the album but it does get an extra star for that song!
Simply Red
3/5
I was really into these when they came out and they were excellent Iive, Terence Trent D’arby supporting!
Of course this was well before we all found out what a cunt Mick Hucknall was, “a Rasta mystic gave me this stick”FFS!
Still sounds pretty good listening back now to be fair.
And surely no body can argue the ginger bellend had a great singing voice.
Love the story about Martine McCuteon throwing up in his dreads😆
Ray Charles
4/5
What an incredible voice this man had! The arrangements and orchestration are very much of their era but all the better for it.
Most if not all the songs are better than the originals and it was a pleasure to listen to.
Neil Young
4/5
This bloke has made over 40 solo albums and though I won’t claim to have heard even a fraction of them when I do listen I’m always pleasantly surprised how good they are!
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
4 stars for the title track alone! The rest of the album isn’t bad but that opening track is a whopper!
Faust
2/5
The last Krautrock offering by Neu was exciting and captivating to listen to and something I was sorry I hadn’t heard in last few decades since it’s release.
This however was something I was sorry I had listened to!
The Cure
4/5
Surely this would be Wednesday Adams favourite album!
We’ve had this in our record collection for over 35 years and this is possibly only the second time I’ve listened to it from start to finish.
Much, much better than I remember. I won’t wait another 35 years to spin it again!
Eurythmics
3/5
The two singles are great but only highlight the lesser quality of the rest of the album. Lennox has a superb voice though!
Wilco
2/5
Really not sure about this one, maybe give it a few more listens.
Voice was a bit annoying and the industrial noises a bit distracting but there might be some good tunes in there somewhere!
Foo Fighters
3/5
Not a bad effort though it does very much sound like a demo.
Ash
3/5
Much heavier than I expected and the Black Sabbath rip off was a bit blatant but not a bad effort all in all.
The Flaming Lips
3/5
Big Star
3/5
I’d never heard of this band till I got a free CD with a music magazine. I can’t say that I was blown away by it and not sure they were worth the praise heaped upon them by the article!
It’s well played reasonable good MOR rock with a slight sound of Robert Plant in places.
Beastie Boys
3/5
I actually really enjoyed listening to this, a bit like being at an endless frat party I guess!
Some great samples even if the 3 way white boy rapping can get a bit samey after a while.
It definitely has a lot of energy which is what I think made me like it.
Good effort lads!
Deee-Lite
3/5
Couldn’t listen to it except on YouTube and ads drove me mad but what I did hear I liked.
Sparks
3/5
When as was a kid and I used to see this band on TOTP the keyboard player with the Hitler moustache used to give me nightmares! But the music is great and takes me back to being terrified of a bloke on TV and hiding behind the sofa!
Thelonious Monk
3/5
I have previously found Monks stuff a bit heavy going, I am a jazz listener, also a bit impenetrable at times, but this is actually quite listenable.
I will play again in the future I’m sure.
Tom Waits
4/5
I bought the record Franks Wild Years when it came out, played it once and put into my record collection where it had stayed for the last 40 odd years!
I’ve tried a few times to get into Tom Waits but it’s never really happened for me.
However I a loved this album! Don’t know if it’s the conceit of the jazz club, the banter or the Smokey music, probably all three to be honest.
Tom I’ll be coming back to your make believe jazz club sometime very soon.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
Much better than I could of imagined as I’m not a big fan of their music generally though they have a few decent tunes.
So a whole listenable album was a very pleasant surprise!
Sigur Rós
4/5
Wow! Love this! It’s just so “refreshing” to listen to something so different from anything else, being sang in Icelandic probably helps, but the music is sublime also.
Big thumbs up
Steely Dan
4/5
The first Dan I heard was the last one they made for about 20 plus years, Gaucho.
Me and my mates were all into our hi-fi systems and the production quality on that album made all our kit sound superb!
I subsequently bought all their back catalogue and enjoyed listening to their musical progressive over the years.
This is interesting as they were still a “band” when this was recorded not just Becker and Fagen and session musos.
I really like it as you can tell I’m a big fan, not my absolute favorite of their earlier stuff but great nonetheless.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
I was enjoying this but it did can a bit samey about half way through them came good again at the end.
Refreshing was the total absence of bitches, niggas and requests to suck their dicks!
Coldplay
2/5
My partner bought Parachutes when in first came out. They bored me then and they bore me now!
The Temptations
3/5
Short but sweet. I liked it but didn’t love it!
Spiritualized
2/5
I bit tedious if I’m honest!
I bought …floating in space when it came out and tried many times to get into but never could.
It’s all a bit one dimensional and yawn, boring.
Sam Cooke
4/5
Pretty good for a live album though it did seem like Mr Cooke was in a bit of a hurry to get things over and done with!
Death In Vegas
3/5
I know this album pretty well, a mate used to play it all the time, but I much prefer Dead Elvis.
That album had more of a lightness to it and this one feels darker.
It’s pretty good but not one that would of occurred to me to put in this list!
AC/DC
5/5
This is the first “hard” rock album I bought and only the second band I saw live as I was lucky enough to catch them on the tour at the tender age of 13!
I absolutely played in to death, bought all their back catalogue and wanted to be Angus!
This is really the last proper AC/DC album even though Back in Black is pretty good they lost a bit of their swagger and most of their tongue in cheek humour when Bon died.
I lost interest in them after that.
Lenny Kravitz
3/5
I have this record and my memory is of a much better album!
It’s not bad by any means and some bits are pretty damn good but I thought as a whole it was much better than it is I guess.
Playing all the instruments yourself leaves no room for the interplay you get with other musicians, maybe that’s it?
Looks like he even took the cover photo himself😆
4/5
Polly is very much a musical chameleon and you never know what to expect.
This album is a bit easier to pin down and is all the more enjoyable for that!
I don’t listen to her often but when I do and always challenged by her stuff.
Keep it up girl!
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Superb! Some of the songs are a bit short like they are ideas that were never fully developed?
Still a great listen.
The Crusaders
3/5
Very pleasant but totally unchallenging listen.
Apart from the title track pretty much all background music.
3/5
I like prog rock, I think, or maybe I like the idea of prog rock?
I love Yes the first album, or at least one song! Same with King Crimson to be fair. I can listen to Rush all day long.
Iggy Pop
3/5
I like Iggy, I mean he’s a legend after all. But he’s not much of a singer is he? Have you heard his version of China Girl?
At least 2 of his best songs are on here and it was a mostly fun album to listen to!
Muddy Waters
4/5
I love all this old blues stuff from the Chess label, it’s all so earthy and “real” these guys really did have the blues!
This was a way of life and not just music, excellent.
Dolly Parton
4/5
Parton is a songwriting machine with too many hits to mention both for herself and numerous other artists.
I’m not a massive fan of country music but Dolly knows how to weave a good narrative to pull on your heartstrings or raise a rye smile.
The first 2 tracks are superb and it’s hard to hold that kind of standard for the whole album but she gives it a good try.
Sit back and enjoy.
Talvin Singh
3/5
I bought this when it came out as I was listening to a lot of music like this at the time.
Though I thought it was good it was never a regular listen!
I have the same feeling again, good but not one to play over and over again!
The Black Keys
3/5
I was expected this to be a lot heavier then realised I was mixing them up with the Black Crows!
I really quite like this album though it goes on for a bit longer than necessary in my opinion.
I will listen again though which is good sign.
Van Halen
2/5
The best thing you can say about this is at least it’s short!
Jump is a great track but the rest is piss poor insubstantial noodling around Roths whoops and Eddies guitar histrionics.
Much prefer their first album.
SAULT
3/5
I already had this and had forgotten about it, what does that tell you?
It’s ok but a bit background, doesn’t really challenge you at though pleasant enough.
Robert Wyatt
3/5
Weirdly I actually enjoyed this album once I got my head into the weird space that Mr Wyatt inhabits!
It’s not one that I would have on regular rotation but one I might play once or twice a year if I m feeling a little “fey”
Marty Robbins
3/5
Surprisingly fun and enjoyable listen as I wouldn’t normally (ever?) gravitate towards this sort of music!
But I found it a good listen and I like the storytelling in the oh so short songs.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Sly is a colossus as far as the development of black music and funk in particular goes!
This is of its time but also quite timeless if that makes sense?
Anyway it’s a damn fine album.
Aerosmith
2/5
Apart from Walk this Way, which let’s face it is better with RUN DMC, this just kind of washed over me.
Not unpleasant but nothing really to make you sit up and take notice or want to play over again.
Pretenders
4/5
Never knew Private Life was a Prentenders song and I never knew Stop Sobbing was by The Kinks!
This is the first time in 40 plus years I’ve listened to one of their albums all the way through and I’ve been pleasantly surprised, it’s pretty good to be fair.
The Who
4/5
By far their best and my favourite album by The Who although I’m not particularly a massive fan!
Blood, Sweat & Tears
4/5
A lot more varied and eclectic than I was expecting! This shit is really very good.
This is one of those albums that make you want to dive into the rest of their catalogue.
I hope I’m not disappointed!
Mudhoney
3/5
Lying on the grass in the French Alps staring up at the swirling clouds and listening to an album by a band I’ve never heard of before, leave it with me!
Ok maybe not the right album for this particular moment but it’s not bad.
Blur
4/5
I was working at a bar at Alex James Big Feastival music festival and he had a range of drinks he wanted us to push called “Britpop”.
I casually mentioned to him that we were probably the only two people there old enough to remember Britpop. He copped the strop and flounced off in a huff!
Still this is probably Blurs best album and his festival was fun to work at.
Happy Mondays
3/5
Happy Mondays are a band who I always remember as being better than they actually are!
I start listening and think oh yeah I like this then after the song i know has finished I start to get a bit fidgety and want to start skipping to the next one I know.
I think if I was a bit more wasted maybe?
Tim Buckley
3/5
It was ok if a bit dated for me to be honest.
Not hideous but not one I’d play very often!
Marvin Gaye
5/5
What an album! Great music, great arrangements and excellent lyrics and the voice!
Start to finish classic, love it!
The Only Ones
4/5
Wow that was ace! I would of been 12 when this came out and an avid TOTP watcher but this lot completely passed me by, which is a shame cos this is really good stuff.
I can hear Buzzcocks, Magazine, 80s pop and some Cars all in here it’s excellent.
As for the singers voice, I actually really like it so there!
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
3/5
I used to borrow this CD off my boss quite often but only really listened to Television (which is superb!) and few other tracks.
I can see why now, it’s just so depressing and serious, probably because it’s all true!
Lou Reed
2/5
Funny thing with Lou Reed is he made one of my favourite albums, Transformer, but I’ve never really connected with any of the rest of his output.
This album is a case in point! I downloaded it several months ago and have tried several times to listen all the way through but haven’t managed it yet!
The Specials
4/5
I really like this album it has such an energy!
I liked them when I was young but had long hair and a leather jacket so wouldn’t have gone down too well at one of their gigs.
Thundercat
3/5
I’ve got a few of his albums but this one seems a bit more “boring” than the others but I still like it!
k.d. lang
2/5
I thought I liked KD Lang but this awful! Glad she got better with her later albums.
Stan Getz
3/5
This is definitely at the dinner jazz end of the spectrum but none the worse for it!
I’ve already had the other Stan Getz samba album on the list and I think I prefer this one.
Sonic Youth
1/5
Was it better than the last Sonic Youth album on the list? Yes. Did I enjoy it? No. Would I listen again? No. Enough said!
Beatles
5/5
Yeah my favourite Beatles album.
Enough said!
Pink Floyd
4/5
First time I heard this was on my mates Sony Walkman one night as we smoked a spliff and wandered round the streets of north Liverpool looking for mischief!
It blew me away and I bought the record soon afterwards.
I think it’s one of their best though I usually don’t bother with Welcome to the Machine or Have a Cigar so it loses a star.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Not his best but still pretty damn good! Stir it Up shows where he was going with his sound I think.
Easy skankin’
The Everly Brothers
2/5
I saw these at the Ajax stadium as support for Simon & Garfunkel.
They played a selection of their greatest hits, none of which appear to be on this album!
Dated and underwhelming if I’m honest.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Damn that was good! I really like Cave but hadn’t listened to this one right through before. Love it.
Van Halen
4/5
My mates brother, who was a guitarist, played this to us not long after it came out and no one could believe it!
I still think it’s their best album today. Fab cover of You Really Got Me and Ice Cream Man is just nuts!
Love it.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
2/5
I don’t mind Blur, I like Gorillaz and Simonon is a legend but I just don’t get this album! It goes nowhere and achieves nothing.
LL Cool J
1/5
Started listening to it and then thought: what’s the point?
Q-Tip
3/5
Not bad at all, reminded me of Tribe Called Quest which is not a bad thing!
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Not bad if you like 9 minute guitar noodles! He’s done better
David Bowie
5/5
My second favourite after Ziggy! This is just too good to be real. Can you imagine an album coming out today with this many massive tracks on it? No you can’t!
Joanna Newsom
3/5
This is bonkers! If pixies existed and they made music this is what it would sound like!
Blimey, 16 minute songs and she never stops singing! Never short of anything to say that’s for sure.
It was strange but strangely enjoyable too.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
Great voice, great musicians, great songs and a great album!
Led Zeppelin
3/5
I have said in previous reviews that I have never really ‘got’ Zeppelin but I actually enjoyed listening to this one.
Not the most clever lyrics but sang with feeling to be sure!
Elvis Presley
3/5
I like Elvis but he almost sounds like a parody of himself on this album and some of the originals are better than his covers! All in all a decent first effort.
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
I was listening to and enjoying a lot of similar stuff when this came out.
However this completely passed me by!
Pretty good but more background that sit up and pay attention.
Eagles
4/5
Don’t understand all the haters as this is a pretty decent album. OK so it’s mellow but we cant all be Motörhead!
Sonic Youth
2/5
This is the third and I’m hoping the last Sonic Youth album I’ve had to listen to!
To be fair it’s the most listenable of the three but still not doing it for me I’m afraid.
Kings of Leon
3/5
Not sure why so many people are hating this, I rather like the hill billie sounding singing and slapdash musicianship! This is the album before their brief brush with super stardom I guess?
Anyway I enjoyed it.
Jethro Tull
3/5
I always thought of JT as the rock band for people who don’t really like rock music.
I’m quite partial to a bit of flute, early Genesis or Peter Gabriel, but maybe not on every single song!
That said it’s a bit of entertaining Middle Earth type hokum that’s not nasty on the ear and contains some good bits of music so I’ll mark it accordingly.
Prefab Sprout
5/5
Absolute peach! I’ve been listening to this album regularly since it was released.
Great and thought provoking lyrics, great music and beautiful singing.
This isn’t even their best album, try Swoon
Pavement
2/5
Another one of “those” albums that you’re suppose to appreciate for how influential blah blah blah it is!
The truth is it’s pretty shit.
Crowded House
4/5
Great song writing, interesting lyrics and brilliantly performed.
A great album!
Jorge Ben Jor
2/5
Just spent a bit of time in Portugal so I’m used to the strange sound of the language!
This album is ok but nothing special to my ears to be honest.
The Jam
4/5
Americans try to broaden your horizons if that’s at all possible!
This is music from working class Britain during the regime of Thatcher bit like what you’re going through with Orange face!
Superb album
Eric Clapton
3/5
A little too safe and white man MOR for my taste but ok for background if you’ve got some old fellas round for a poker night!
Radiohead
3/5
The Bends is one of my all time favourite albums. I really like OK computer and Pablo Honey had a few great tunes but the rest of their stuff kind of baffles me!
This record is perfectly fine but doesn’t really light up for me.
5/5
This is my favorite Bowie album and a strong contender for my favourite album full stop!
When I was 15 my then girlfriends younger brother starred in a school musical based on this album, it was fab and made go out and buy it.
That was 1981 and I’ve played it on a regular basis since then and it never gets boring. Thank you David xx
David Bowie
4/5
Pretty good but not his best by a long way! The song Heroes is a masterpiece however and gets the album an extra star.
Rod Stewart
3/5
A decent enough effort from Rod and crew! His voice is just amazing.
The Doors
2/5
Another one of the bands a tend to look back on with “rose tinted ears”
That is I remember them being a lot better than they actually are!
This album sounds like your local garage band just got given an organ and play it on everyone of their songs whether it works or not.
It doesn’t !
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Another album by the prolific Nick Cave, one I’ve not really listened to properly.
Not one you’d go back to often but a very interesting listen all the same!
a-ha
3/5
So 80’s it almost hurts! Bit too much filler for me.
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
Very 60s not bad but a few too many poor covers to make it a classic!
Nice harmonies though.
The Kinks
2/5
Waterloo Sunset is an absolute classic but the rest not so much!
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
Wow that was painful!
Hitler on a building site!
John Martyn
3/5
I was interested to hear this as I haven’t listened to much John Martin.
I had some good bits that make me think I will have revisit this one a few times to fully appreciate it.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Pure class! Classy music from a classy lady.
The Dandy Warhols
2/5
Not that great if I’m honest. Just a bit too American if you know what I mean! College students trying to be a bit weird? I don’t know it just didn’t do it for me.
The Doors
3/5
Again not bad but far too much organ noodling for my taste! Done solid doings but also a lot of dross.
Has the ability but must try harder.
Prince
4/5
Back when CDs were still a thing I bought a load off a friend and there were quite a few Prince ones in the bundle.
Now while I agree the wee Purple Fella was undoubtedly talented and a fine, fine guitarist I did find a lot of filler on them all.
However this one, though there is a bit, is much better I can be listened to right through without skipping every other track!
Miles Davis
5/5
Miles is a true musical icon and one of my all time musical heroes!
I pretty much love all his stuff do not a difficult one for me to rate.
Arcade Fire
2/5
I put this on my ear phones while I did my morning workout and was Hal way through before I even noticed it was playing!
The whole album just washed over me without leaving a single sonic imprint.
Grant Lee Buffalo
3/5
I bought this when it came out ( on vinyl) so there must of been a song I liked, I never bought singles. But after listening to this all the way through I haven’t the faintest idea which one it was!
I thought I might at least recognise the overall sound/ vibe but alas no.
However I did actually really enjoyed listening to it again (for the first time?) anyway I like it!
Metallica
4/5
Wow! I really enjoyed that, what I blast!
I knew Enter Sandman obs but I didn’t think I would get into the whole album,
but I did.
I shall be playing this again and maybe even attempting to drum along!
Genesis
4/5
Back in our chemistry class (1979ish) me and my schoolmates would spend whole lessons arguing over which was better, Genesis with Pete or Phil on vocals!
I was firmly in the Gabriel camp and I still am.
A bit pretentious at times and downright silly at others I never less love them all the more for it.
The musicianship is sublime and the lyrics though unfathomanable at times are never boring.
Not their best but still good fun.
Jamiroquai
4/5
It’s a shame the Cat in the Hat turned out to a be Twat in a Hat, see video where papparaza head butts him for being a total bellend!
However, I bought this when it came out and liked it a lot, I still do, though I haven’t listen to it in over a decade.
Kate Bush
5/5
One of my favourite albums and easily one of the greatest of all time, end of story!
Every time I listen to it, which is quite often, I hear something new, a sound, a noise, a nuance that just keeps adding to the whole experience.
Side 2 or the Ninth Wave is a work of absolute genius and she probably should be burnt as a witch just for creating it!
The Libertines
4/5
Well this turned out to a hell of a lot better than I had expected!
I took no notice of this band because I thought Doherty was a bellend. He is, but his music is pretty damn good!
The Adverts
4/5
I was 12 when this came out but have no memory of this band at all!
It was fun to listen to and I like a lot of the lyrics and the tunes are pretty solid.
An all round decent album.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
I was aware of this band but didn’t really pay any attention at the time.
To be fair this ain’t half bad! A bit heavier musically than I would of thought which is a good thing!
I’ve always thought 3 piece bands make more noise!
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
I love John Fogertys voice! Though the selection of songs on here isn’t the greatest it was still an enjoyable listen.
I also never knew that he wrote Proud Mary.
Fairport Convention
3/5
Not the sort of music I would normally listen to, but then that’s the whole point of this exercise isn’t it?
A bit whimsical at times but quite fun nonetheless !
The Streets
3/5
I don’t mind this album but it’s more a dip in dip out than a full listen! After a while his voice and cod philosophysing gets a bit tiresome.
Fats Domino
3/5
It’s like a music history lesson listening to this stuff, it’s amazing!
Can you even try to imagine what it must of been no like hearing all this stuff for the first time?
Meat Puppets
4/5
I didn’t have particularly high hopes for this one but I was pleasantly surprised!
I can see why Kurt liked them so much.
Eclectic, challenging but never boring that’s for sure.
5/5
U2s finest hour and possibly one of the best albums to come out of the 80s
Whether you think Bono is a bellend or not (he is!) this is still a fantastic listen, the opening 3 tracks alone put it into 5 star territory!
I saw then live twice in their early days and they were ace!
Tears For Fears
4/5
Another awesome 80s album! People give music from this decade a lot of stick but I grew up during this time and I know it was sound as a pound!
Seriously, a great effort from the lads.
King Crimson
5/5
I bought this on vinyl (no CD back then!) when I was still at school and it was already 12 years old by then.
To say it blew me away is an understatement, who new this sort of shit existed even in peoples minds?
I still listen to on a fairly regular basis even after all these years.
The album cover still gives me the creeps though.
Miles Davis
4/5
Another great album from a great musician! Definitely not his best but still pretty good.
A chilled listen rather than a challenging one.
Madness
2/5
Not sure where all the different genres of music that influenced this are, just sounds like Madness to me!
A “fun” band but one I’ve never taken seriously to be honest.
Robbie Williams
2/5
OK I listened all the way through but please don’t make me do it again!
I have nothing against Robbie and I’m sure he’s a great entertainer but this is awful.
The music is derivative, the lyrics are puerile and his style of singing with a cheeky wink and tongue firmly in cheek just ain’t for me.
Kraftwerk
3/5
I like Kraftwerk but this is far from their best.
I was eleven when this came out and was listening to Darts and 10cc and had no idea this sort of stuff even existed!
Radiohead
4/5
I love their first 3 albums, with The Bends being one of my favourite albums of all time!
Some of their stuff can be at best challenging at worse almost inpenetrable. This is nearer the challenging and therefore more enjoyable end of their spectrum.
The Cramps
2/5
Is this a comedy record?
Britney Spears
3/5
Well not as painful as I thought it would be!
Actually a very well written and produced bit of poppy pop.
Niiiccee!
Sabu
1/5
I try to be as open minded as possible with the albums we get to listen to but this just sounds like me practising on my congas while some random bloke shouts bollocks at me!
Not impressed.
Genesis
5/5
I first heard this when I was about 11 or 12, an older brother of a friend had it and I became obsessed with it!
The weird story in the cover the unusual lyrics and strange sounding instruments. Everytime I went to my friends I would ask him to play it or sit and read the story and lyrics while we listened to Blondie.
My favorite Genesis album for many years.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
I always found Neil Tennants voice a bit annoying, it’s like he’s a bit bored with it all! Like an electro pop Mark Knopffler.
Still they did some catchy tunes as I with all the tedious stuff.
The Auteurs
3/5
Perfectly adequate indie pop, and there lies the problem. It was just adequate, nothing stood out, no tune to make your ears prick up or your feet start to tap.
Average, very very average.
Billy Bragg
2/5
I’ve always found Braggs voice annoying and I still do, but there are a few decent almost listenable songs on here.
However that doesn’t mean I’d listen to it again!
The B-52's
3/5
I have a bit of a soft spot for this band and they’ve done some great songs. However if I’m honest with myself a lot of their stuff is just a load of old cobblers!
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Some decent tunes on here but quite a bit of “jamming” I think!
It’s ok but not going to be on my repeat playlist I fear.
The Flaming Lips
3/5
I really quite enjoyed this one and will give it another listen when I have some more time.
The Verve
2/5
Pretty boring and aimless, just washed over me without pricking my interest once!
Anita Baker
3/5
I own this on vinyl but forgot o had it!
It’s a very pleasant if unchallenging listen but that’s not always a bad thing.
Great voice.
LTJ Bukem
3/5
It just goes on and on and on and on…
Don’t mind a bit of Goldie or Roni Size but this gets a bit tedious after, well pretty quickly really!
The Who
3/5
Found myself enjoying the “adverts” more than the songs!!
Not a bad effort to be fair.
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
3/5
A strange one this! There’s sounds of Scott Walker, Leonard Cohen and even a bit of Syd Barrett. I wonder if they’d all listened to this album ?
Never heard of the guy and was intrigued by his story.
This list does occasionally throw up done interesting oddities!
The Yardbirds
3/5
This came out the year I was born, not that has any bearing on the quality.
To be fair the Stones have had a 60+ year career out of music like this but actually not as good!
Stephen Stills
3/5
A lot more “electric” than I was expecting! I really quite liked it and would listen to it again I think.
Pentangle
3/5
I lived in Cambridge for over 20 years and never once went to the folk festival, this music is probably why!
To be fair it’s good at what it is, whimsical folk tunes with a hint of medieval sounds thrown in here and there.
Not bad but not really my cup of mead!
Janet Jackson
3/5
These are the sort of songs thank make more sense when you watch the dance routine in the video!
It’s also very 80s and not always in a good way. But hell the woman can sing!
The Triffids
3/5
Not a game changer by any means but certainly not as bad as the reviews would suggest!
If I’d known of them back in the day I would probably have bought this album.
Neil Young
3/5
My God how many albums has this man made? Or rather how many of his albums are on this list?
To be fair I actually quite like Young and his ramblings and this is one of his better efforts!
Digital Underground
1/5
Wow! I’m usually quite partial to a bit of old skool but this is hideous!
It’s just shit and that’s all I’m prepared to say.
Paul Simon
3/5
Not his best but it’s Paul Simon so it’s still good.
No real standout tracks but still a pretty solid effort!
Megadeth
4/5
Bought it when it came out and played it a lot! Still really love it, especially the first two tracks.
Tom Tom Club
4/5
I bought this when it came out and played it a fair bit. Still really like it now all these years later especially the first two tracks.
Burning Spear
4/5
I love reggae and I am aware of Burning Spear and I am now wondering why I’ve never really listened to them before now! Really liked it and I shall be checking out more of their albums.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Easier to listen to than a lot of the stuff around now.
First 3 or 4 tracks are pretty solid then I got bored as I usually do with hip hop!
Nick Drake
4/5
Pure 80s pop and very enjoyable it is too!
Edwin Collins has gone on to make some fabulous music and he cut his teeth with this band.
Johnny Cash
5/5
When people ask I always say I hate country music.
But then I quite like John Denver, and Glen Campbells done some crackers, Kenny Rogers is a guilty pleasure and Dolly had wrote a few corkers in her time!
Then of course there’s the Man in Black himself. My mum and dad sat me down when I was a kid to watch the film of Live at San Quentin and I’ve been a fan ever since. This is awesome!
Orange Juice
4/5
80s pop at its absolute finest! What is wrong with you people, seriously?
Edwin Collins is a fine musician and songwriter and he cut his teeth with this band.
For heavens sake lighten up a bit and enjoy.
Everything But The Girl
5/5
I saw these live for the first time when they were touring Eden, their first album, and have bought everything of there’s since!
Simply superb. Tracey has the voice of an angel and a face like a bag of spanners!
Guess you can’t have everything.
Bob Dylan
4/5
I only really started to appreciate Bob a few years back, it was his more recent album Rough and Rowdy Ways that did it.
Lyrically at his best he is a poet.
I made a playlist called Bob not Bob of other people covering his songs which tells what I think of his voice!
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Struggled to get past track 3 without wanting to kill myself! Guitar was good though.
Röyksopp
4/5
Played this a lot when it came out. There was a lot of this kind of stuff around at the time and I was pretty much into most of it!
Elliott Smith
3/5
Ray Charles
4/5
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
I like these they are old school with good rhymes etc
Flamin' Groovies
3/5
Wow! The Rolling Stones with Captain Beefheary on vocals!
Bit weird this one but it had some enjoyable moments.
The Soft Boys
3/5
Listenable if nothing else.
Steely Dan
5/5
Not their best but with enough bangers to still make it great!
The Icarus Line
1/5
Not for me!
Ananda Shankar
3/5
I like the sound of the sitar but come from the generation that think of the closing credits to It Ain’t Half Hot Mum every time I hear it!
The covers are a bit lame but it’s still pretty enjoyable.
Patti Smith
4/5
A lot of nay sayers on here but weirdly I thought the opposite and this album is much better than I remember! You can hear all the artists she influenced in all of the songs, good stuff.
The Last Shadow Puppets
4/5
Arctic Monkeys meet The Monkees! What’s not to like?
3/5
It was better than expected but went on a bit too long for me. More an album for pubescent teenage boys than grown men I think!
Tito Puente
3/5
That was good fun, but like being in a hotel in Spain in the 1970s
Better than I expected not being overly fond of Latin music !
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
That was easy! Sometimes I look at the album choice and think, oh this is gonna be a slog, but not with these boys!
Always loved EWF and always will. Joyest music and vocals and oh such great production, always make your system sound ace!
Justin Timberlake
2/5
My partner bought this when it came out and I asked her to only play when I wasn’t in!
It’s not that bad but not really my bag. I think Trousersnake is a better actor than popstar!
2Pac
1/5
A lot of people complain there’s too much British 80s music on here, for me it’s hip hop. ( I do like a bit of old skool )
I never grew up in the the hood, east side or west side so no of this has any relevance to my life in the northwest of England!
Christina Aguilera
4/5
Another one of those albums I normally just play the “good” ones!
Having listened right the way through twice I must say it’s pretty damned good.
Gary Numan
4/5
This is absolutely ace! Vocals can get a bit robotic but then that’s the point isn’t it?
This has made me appreciate Numan in a whole new way.
Rush
4/5
I grew up listening to this shit! First of their albums I heard, went out and bought all the others that were out too.
I was fortunate to see them on the Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures tours when I would say they were at the height of their powers!
Absolute legends all 3 of them!
Nico
1/5
Wow that was painful! Don’t get why this woman was allowed to record so much music. At least with Velvet Underground there was some decent tunes but this is awful.
Iron Butterfly
3/5
Interesting, not exactly The Pink Floyd but still pretty good.
Lyrically a bit poor but music wise very enjoyable, especially the guitar.
I’d never heard of this band till today so the list strikes again!
Orbital
2/5
A bit boring for me, good for falling asleep to, which is what I did. I think I’d stopped doing drugs by the time this came out!
Cheap Trick
2/5
Quite few people I knew had this album back in the day but I never got round to listening to it. Now I’ve heard it I’m glad I didn’t waste my time!
No atmosphere, forgettable songs and disjointed production, rubbish!
The Pretty Things
4/5
This is bonkers and I love it! Again another album I can’t believe I’ve never heard of before.
I will listen to this again that’s for sure.
Tina Turner
3/5
This album is soooo 80s almost painfully so! But Tina can sing that’s for sure.
The problem is my parents loved her a sang and danced like only parents can to this back in the day so I can’t take it all that seriously.
But it’s still good.
The War On Drugs
3/5
Pleasant enough if a little bland in places! Not a bad listening but not overly exciting.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
This album was already 8 years old when I first heard at the age of 13
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I don’t really “get” Zeppelin. Even though this is perhaps one of their better efforts it still just doesn’t do it for me!
David Holmes
2/5
Not really much going on to make me want to come back!